New Member - Don Bursil

Editor. Don and Margaret were previous member of the JDCSA and owners of the same Jaguar for 35 years. It’s great that they have re-joined our club and we can’t wait to see them and their V12.

I have been a fan of Jaguar cars for as long as I can recall. I was a student at Adelaide High School and walked to and from West Terrace to King William Street each day to catch a bus home. An E type Jaguar would often come by during those walks and I thought it looked and sounded absolutely fabulous. It had a style and appeal unmatched by any other car at that time (1962), in my opinion. Later on, I noticed the XJ series 2 saloon cars had arrived on the scene and I read somewhere that these cars could even be regarded as a better car to drive or ride in than a Rolls Royce. I set my heart on owning one of those cars one day, if possible. In 1985 I decided it was time to get a Jag and joined the Jaguar Drivers Club of SA to learn more about the cars and get some opinions on various questions I had at the time. In early 1986 – after inspecting and test driving a few vehicles up for sale, I finally bought my car. It was a silver XJ 12 LWB saloon. The car was delivered new to an Adelaide doctor in February 1978. He had covered 145 000 km before he traded it in. I was the second owner and still own the car now – a period of some 35 years. The car has been well maintained and kept in good mechanical condition by Reg Lee – who I met at Jaguar Drivers Club events. Reg (more recently assisted by his son, Ryan) is the only mechanic to touch the car since I bought it. My XJ 12 was my daily drive – and the family car – for a number of years. In 1995 I was offered a work vehicle and for a very reasonable lease fee I was able to use the vehicle for private purposes. This meant the Jag saw less use and it spent most of its time from 1995 until last year in the garage under a car cover. It was still taken out for an occasional run and for periodic servicing. The car was used for the weddings of our son in 2002 and our daughter in 2010. In 2012, I was involved in a water industry association annual awards dinner held at the Festival Centre. The organisers gave

it a James Bond theme and had arranged for an Aston Martin to be featured on the stage for the function as a key part of the “decoration and theme setting” for the event. At a late stage, the owner of the Aston Martin withdrew his car due to an insurance issue. I was asked if they could use my Jag and I readily agreed. The SA Premier attended the function and asked if he could sit in the car. Many other colleagues made complimentary remarks about the Jag. Notwithstanding the infrequent use of our Jag over the past 25 years, the car seems to be an integral part of our family. On a few occasions I have suggested that perhaps I should sell it to someone who will use it more often, but this was met with howls of protest from the family. Last year, once the initial COVID 19 lock down was over, I decided that I would use the car more often. Reg gave it a thorough going over in July. I fitted new tyres and a new air conditioning compressor. The tyres were hardly worn at all but at 25 years old, they were well beyond their use- by date. The car will shortly be due for another service – this time on distance covered rather than elapsed time. I had let my Jag club membership lapse many years ago and I thought that rejoining would provide opportunities to drive the car for club events – as well as on other occasions. I really enjoy taking the car out for a spin. I had forgotten how well it handles. We have a holiday house near Mannum and I have been involved in a committee that meets regularly at Cambrai. The Jag has been used to attend committee meetings and it often takes us up to the holiday house. The Jaguar is at its best on those country roads. Margaret and I look forward to meeting more club members during 2021.

The following applications for membership have been lodged with the Membership Secretary and are listed in accordance with clause 6 (B-C) of the Constitution. If there are no objections, membership will be ratified one month from this February, 2021 magazine: • Roger Sweetman: 1964 Mark ll 2.4L • Paul Giessauf: 1989 Jaguar Sovereign 3.9L Sedan • Clayton Hayball: 1977 Daimler XJ6 4.2L Sedan • Shirley & James Bailey: 1990 Jaguar

XJ6 4.2L Sedan • Ian Trethewey & Susan Misirdjieff: 1951 Jaguar Mk Vll 3.4L Saloon • Joseph & Alan Standring: 1980 Land

Rover S3 2.5L S/Wagon • Stephen Perry: 1970 Jaguar E-Type 4.2L Coupe • Michael & Holly Hastings: 1985

Jaguar XJ6 Series III 4.2L Sedan The following applications listed in the November 2020 and December 2020 Classic Marque magazines have been accepted: • Ronald Lane: 1975 Jaguar XJ6 4.2L

Sedan • German Kolesnyk & Anastasia

Malkin: 1978 Jaguar XJ6 4.2L Sedan • Stephen Perkins: 1993 Jaguar XJ40 4.0L Sedan • Richard Hoffmann: 1965 Jaguar

E-Type FHC 4.2 Coupe • Noela Adi & Laurence Leonard: 1986

Jaguar XJ6 4.2L Sedan • Kevin Connor & Paul Skidmore: 1988

Jaguar XJ6 3.59L Sedan • Margaret & Donald Bursill: 1977

Jaguar XJ12 5.3L Sedan • Mehran Pooyafar & Jennifer Virag: 1950 Jaguar Mark 5 6Cyl Sedan • Stephen Smith: 1999 Jaguar XJ6 Sedan We hope you will take advantage of the benefits available, and that you will contribute in your own way to make this a better club for everyone. I particularly ask that Register Secretaries and current members make these new members welcome at meetings and functions.